Remote light control, configuration, and monitoring

ABSTRACT

A system of light devices including a first light device and a second light device. The first light device having a first housing, a first light, a first transceiver, a first electronic processor. The second light having a second housing, a second light, a second transceiver, a second electronic processor. The first electronic processor is coupled to the first light and the first transceiver, and configured to control operation of the first light, and transmit, via the first transceiver a command to the second light device. The second electronic processor coupled to the second light and the second transceiver, and configured to receive, via the second transceiver, the command from the first light device, and change an operational parameter of the second light in response to the command from the first light device.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Pat. Application No.17/373,911, filed Jul. 13, 2021, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,583,990, which isa continuation of U.S. Pat. Application No. 16/785,841, filed Feb. 10,2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,064,596, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat.Application No. 16/545,616, filed Aug. 20, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No.10,595,384, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. Application No.16/377,804, filed Apr. 8, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,433,405, which is acontinuation of U.S. Pat. Application No. 15/878,745, filed Jan. 24,2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,349,498, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat.Application No. 15/338,308, filed Oct. 28, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No.9,900,967, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Pat. ApplicationNo. 62/248,856, filed on Oct. 30, 2015, the entire contents of all ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a network of lights used in, forexample, a job site.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the invention provides a system of light devicesincluding a first light device and a second light device. The firstlight device having a first housing, a first light, a first transceiver,a first electronic processor. The second light having a second housing,a second light, a second transceiver, a second electronic processor. Thefirst electronic processor is coupled to the first light and the firsttransceiver, and configured to control operation of the first light, andtransmit, via the first transceiver a command to the second lightdevice. The second electronic processor coupled to the second light andthe second transceiver, and configured to receive, via the secondtransceiver, the command from the first light device, and change anoperational parameter of the second light in response to the commandfrom the first light device.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a method of remotelycontrolling a light device. The method includes activating, by a firstelectronic processor, a first light of a first light device. The methodalso includes transmitting, by the first electronic processor and via afirst transceiver, a command to a second light device, receiving, by asecond electronic processor and via a second transceiver of the secondlight device, the command from the first light device, and changing anoperational parameter of a second light of the second light device inresponse to the command from the first light device.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration ofthe detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a communication system according to one embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary light device of thecommunication system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the exemplary light device of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary power tool device of thecommunication system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary external device of thecommunication system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of transmitting commandsfrom a first light device to a second light device of the communicationsystem of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method for transmitting a commandto a light device from an external device of the communication system ofFIG. 1 .

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary screenshot of a list of nearby devicesdisplayed on the external device of the communication system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary screenshot of a home screen for thefirst light device of the communication system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 10 is an exemplary screenshot of a settings screen for the selectedlight device of the communication system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 11 is an exemplary screenshot of a control screen for a group oflight devices of the communication system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary screenshot of additional informationavailable for at least one of the light devices of a group of lightdevices of the communication system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method of forwarding commands to agroup of light devices of the communication system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a method of transmitting a messageto the external device from another device of the communication systemof FIG. 1 .

FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary screenshot of an alert message sent tothe external device from the first light device of the communicationsystem of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a method of updating the externaldevice regarding motion detected by a light device of the communicationsystem of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a method of requesting locationinformation for a device of the communication system of FIG. 1 .

FIGS. 18-19 illustrate exemplary screenshots of mappings providinginformation regarding a location of a selected power tool devices and/orlight devices of the communication system of FIG. 1 .

FIGS. 20A-B illustrate exemplary screenshots of another settings screenfor the light device of the communication system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a method of programming futureoperation of a light device of the communication system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating a method of calculating brightnessor runtime of a light device of the communication system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 23 illustrates a schematic diagram of a communication systemaccording to another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the following drawings.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orof being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood thatthe phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limited. The use of“including,” “comprising” or “having” and variations thereof herein ismeant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereofas well as additional items. The terms “mounted,” “connected” and“coupled” are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirectmounting, connecting and coupling. Further, “connected” and “coupled”are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings,and can include electrical connections or couplings, whether direct orindirect.

It should be noted that a plurality of hardware and software baseddevices, as well as a plurality of different structural components maybe utilized to implement the invention. Furthermore, and as described insubsequent paragraphs, the specific configurations illustrated in thedrawings are intended to exemplify embodiments of the invention and thatother alternative configurations are possible. The terms “processor”“central processing unit” and “CPU” are interchangeable unless otherwisestated. Where the terms “processor” or “central processing unit” or“CPU” are used as identifying a unit performing specific functions, itshould be understood that, unless otherwise stated, those functions canbe carried out by a single processor, or multiple processors arranged inany form, including parallel processors, serial processors, tandemprocessors or cloud processing/cloud computing configurations

FIG. 1 illustrates a communication system 100 that facilitates operationand control of multiple light devices and/or power tool devices throughthe use of an external device. The communication system 100 includeslight devices 105 a-b, power tool devices 110 a-b, and at least oneexternal device 115. The external device 115 is configured tocommunicate with a remote server 120 over a network 125. The externaldevice 115 is configured to communicate with power tool devices 110 aand light devices 105 a that are within a direct communication range 130of the external device 115. Similarly, each light device 105 a-b andeach power tool device 110 a-b within the communication system 100 isconfigured to communicate with other devices (e.g., the external device115, another light device 105, another power tool device 110) that arewithin a communication range of the light device 105 or the power tooldevice 110, respectively. The communication range 130 of the externaldevice 115 (and of the light devices 105 and the power tool devices 110)may change based on, for example, the communication protocol used by theexternal device 115 to communicate with the power tool devices 110 a-band the light devices 105 a-b, obstructions between the external device115 and the light devices 105 a-b and the power tool devices 110 a-b,power available to the external device 115, and other factors.

In the illustrated embodiment, the power tool devices 110 a-b and thelight devices 105 a-b form a mesh network (e.g., a wireless ad hocnetwork) to extend the communication range 130 of the external device115. In the illustrated example, a first power tool device 110 a and afirst light device 105 a are within the communication range 130, while asecond power tool device 110 b and a second light device 105 b areoutside the communication range 130. The second power tool device 110 band the second light device 105 b utilize the first power tool device110 a and/or the first light device 105 a as communication bridges tocommunicate with the external device 115. In other words, the secondpower tool device 110 b and/or the second light device 105 b communicatewith the first power tool device 110 a and/or the first light device 105a. The first power tool device 110 a and/or the first light device 105 athen transmit the message to the external device 115. Similarly, theexternal device 115 may send messages to the second light device 105 band/or the second power tool device 110 b, and may use the first lightdevice 105 a and/or the first power tool device 110 a as communicationbridges to reach the second light device 105 b and/or the second powertool device 110 b. Therefore, light devices 105 outside the directcommunication range 130 of the external device 115 may still becontrolled and may communicate with the external device 115 by utilizingthe mesh network.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary light device 105. The exemplary lightdevice 105 of FIG. 2 , is a self-standing vertical area light. In otherembodiments, however, the light device 105 (or some of the light devices105) may have a different construction and may include differentcomponents. For example, in other embodiments, the light devices 105 mayinclude mountable and/or compact flood lights, stick lights, sitelights, flashlights, among others. The exemplary light device 105 ofFIGS. 2 and 3 provides lighting capabilities as well as otherfunctionality, for example, charging of battery packs, power outlets forother devices, environmental sensing, and the like. In some embodiments,some of the light devices 105 may include some or none of the additionalfunctionality listed above. The light device 105 includes a base 205, alight body 210, and a light head 215. The light body 210 and the lighthead 215 are supported by the base 205. The light body 210 houses aplurality of lights 220. The plurality of lights 220 may be divided intostrips such that each strip may be controlled individually. In theillustrated embodiment, the plurality of lights 220 are LEDs.

Besides providing support for the light device 105, the base 205 alsohouses the electrical components of the light device 105. FIG. 3 is aschematic diagram for the exemplary light device 105. As shown in FIG. 3, the light device 105 includes an alternating current (AC) power input225, AC power outlets 227, battery pack ports 230 a-b, a power circuit235, a charging circuit 240, control panel 245, a motion sensor 250, alocation unit 255, an environmental sensor 257, a power sensor 260, awireless communication controller 265, and an electronic processor 270.The AC power input 225 is configured to receive AC power from anexternal AC power source (e.g., a power distribution box, a householdpower outlet, a generator, and the like). The power received through theAC power input 225 can be provided to other electronic devices throughthe AC power outlets 227. In some embodiments, the AC power outlets 227may allow several light devices 105 to be daisy-chained from each other.

The power received through the AC power input 225 is then transferred tothe power circuit 235. The power circuit 235 receives the power from theAC power input 225 and converts it to power with specificcharacteristics to power components of the light device 105. Forexample, the power circuit 235 may include an AC-to-DC converter, afilter, a rectifier, a step-down controller, a PWM control, and/or othercomponents that change characteristics of the power received through theAC power input 225. The power circuit 235 is coupled to other componentsof the light device 105. In the illustrated embodiment, the powercircuit 235 is coupled to the electronic processor 270, the chargingcircuit 240, and the lights 220. The power circuit 235 may providedifferent power outputs to each of the charging circuit 240, theelectronic processor 270, and the lights 220. For example, the powercircuit 235 may provide sufficient current to charge one or more batterypacks to the charging circuit 240, but may provide a significantly lowerpower rating to the electronic processor 270 and/or to the sensors 250,255, 257, 260. The power circuit 235 may receive control signals fromthe electronic processor 270 to control the power provided to the lights220.

The charging circuit 240 provides charging power to the battery packports 230 a-b. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery pack ports 230a-b receive a slide-on battery pack. In other embodiments, the batterypack ports 230 a-b may receive a different type of battery pack, and/oreach battery pack port 230 a-b may be constructed differently to eachreceive a different type of battery pack. In some embodiments, the powercircuit 235 receives power from the battery pack ports 230 a-b, and may,in such embodiments, power the lights 200 with power from a connectedbattery pack. In some embodiments, some or all of the light devices 105do not include the charging circuit 240, and may be configured toreceive power through the battery pack ports 230 a-b, but not rechargethe connected battery packs.

The control panel 245 allows a user to control the operation of thelight device 105. The control panel 245 may include a combination ofvirtual and physical actuators. Referring back to FIG. 2 , in theillustrated embodiment, the control panel 245 includes a light intensitycontrol 280, a light intensity indicator 283, and a state of chargeindicator 285. The light intensity control 280 may also operate as apower button toggling the light device 105 on and off (e.g., by changingfrom a fully on state to a fully off state). The state of chargeindicator 285 illustrates a relative state of charge of one or more ofthe connected battery packs. In one embodiment, the state of chargeindicator 285 includes a plurality of indicator bars that depict thelevel of charge of the connected battery packs. The light intensitycontrol 280 may include, for example, a button. Each press of the lightintensity control 280 changes the intensity of the lights 220. In someembodiments, when the light device 105 is powered through an external ACsource, the light intensity control 280 rotates among six differentlight intensity levels, but when the light device 105 is powered througha DC power source (e.g., a battery pack), the light intensity controlonly rotates through three light intensity levels. The light intensityindicator 283 may include, for example, an LED that changes inbrightness or flashing frequency based on the light intensity level ofthe light device 105. In some embodiments, the light intensity indicator283 includes indicator bars that depict the light intensity level of thelight device 105 by increasing or decreasing the number of indicatorbars that are illuminated.

The motion sensor 250 is coupled to the electronic processor 270. Themotion sensor is configured to detect motion of an object within aproximity range of the light device 105. The motion sensor 250 can beactive or passive. For example, in one embodiment, the motion sensorscan include a passive infrared sensor (PIR) to detect when people comewithin range of the sensor. In other embodiments, the motion sensor 250may detect changes in light and determine that an object moved when thechange of light exceeds a predetermined threshold. In yet otherembodiments, other types of motion sensors 250 are used. When the motionsensor 250 detects motion (e.g., of a person or an object), the motionsensor 250 generates and sends an activation signal to the electronicprocessor 270. The electronic processor 270 may then change an operationof the lights 220 in response to the detected motion, may transmit amessage to the external device 115, or the like. In some embodiments,the light device 105 do not include the motion sensor 250 describedabove.

The location unit 255 includes, for example, a Global Positioning System(GPS) unit. The location unit 255 determines a location of the lightdevice 105 and sends the determined location to the electronic processor270. In some embodiments, the light device 105 may not include alocation unit 255 and may be configured to determine its location bycommunicating with other light devices 105 and/or with an externaldevice 115. The environmental sensor 257 may include, for example, acarbon monoxide sensor, a gas buildup sensor, a humidity sensor, a dustsensor, and/or a similar sensor. The environmental sensor 257 detectswhen an environmental parameter is outside a predetermined threshold andgenerates an alert signal to the electronic processor 270. Theelectronic processor 270 may then generate a signal to alert the userthat a particular environmental parameter is outside an expected range.Each light device 105 may include one, more, or no environmentalsensors. As described above, the light device 105 may also include apower sensor 260. The power sensor 260 is coupled to the electronicprocessor 270 and, in some embodiments, is also coupled to the batterypack ports 230 a-b and to the AC power input 225. The power sensor 260detects the incoming power to the light device 105. In some embodiments,the power sensor 260 also monitors and measures power consumption of thelight device 105, and may be able to determine which components of thelight device 105 are consuming more or less power. The power sensor 260provides these measurements to the electronic processor 270.

The wireless communication controller 265 is coupled to the electronicprocessor 270, and exchanges wireless messages with other light devices105 in the communication system 100, the external device 115, and/orpower tool devices 110 in the communication system 100. The wirelesscommunication controller 265 includes a transceiver 290, a processor293, and a real-time clock 295. The transceiver 290 sends and receiveswireless messages to and from other light devices 105, power tooldevices 110, and/or the external device 115. In some embodiments, suchas the illustrated embodiment, the wireless communication controller 265also includes a memory. The memory stores instructions to be implementedby the processor 293 and/or data related to communications between thelight device 105 and other devices of the communication system 100. Theprocessor 293 of the wireless communication controller 265 controlswireless communications between the light device 105 a and other deviceswithin the communication system 100. For example, the processor 293 ofthe wireless communication controller 265 buffers incoming and/oroutgoing data, communicates with the electronic processor 270, anddetermines the communication protocol and/or settings to use in wirelesscommunications.

In the illustrated embodiment, the wireless communication controller 265is a Bluetooth® controller. The Bluetooth® controller communicates withother devices (e.g., other light devices 105, external device 115,and/or power tool devices 110) employing the Bluetooth ® protocol. Inother embodiments, the wireless communication controller 265communicates using other protocols (e.g., Wi-Fi, cellular protocols, aproprietary protocol, etc.) over different type of wireless networks.For example, the wireless communication controller 265 may be configuredto communicate via Wi-Fi through a wide area network such as theInternet or a local area network, or to communicate through a piconet(e.g., using infrared or NFC communications). In some embodiments, thecommunication exchanged by the wireless communication controller 265 maybe encrypted to protect the data exchanged between the light device 105and the external device/network 115 from third parties.

The wireless communication controller 265 receives data from theelectronic processor 270 and prepares outgoing messages to other lightdevices 105, power tool devices 110, and/or to the external device 115.For example, the wireless communication controller 265 may sendinformation regarding the outputs from the sensors 250, 255, 257, 260 ofthe light device 105, regarding the current operational parameters ofthe light device 105 (e.g., a current brightness, power consumptionremaining runtime, and the like), enabled/disabled features of the lightdevice 105, an identification signal and/or code for the particularlight device 105, maintenance information for the light device 105,usage information for the light device 105, and the like. The wirelesscommunication controller 265 may send information, for example,regarding number of activations for a particular sensor 250, 255, 257,260, data and time of the activations, raw data recorded and/or detectedby the particular sensor 250, 255, 257, 260, and the like.

The wireless communication controller 265 also receives wirelessmessages and/or commands from other light devices 105, power tooldevices 110, and/or the external device 115. The wireless messagesand/or commands from other devices may include programming and/orconfiguration information for the light device 105.

The real-time clock (RTC) 295 increments and keeps time independently ofthe other components of the light device 105. In some embodiments, theRTC 295 is coupled to a back-up power source, which provides power tothe RTC 295 such that the RTC 295 continues to track time regardless ofwhether the light device 105 receives AC power, DC power (e.g., from aconnected battery pack), or no power. Additionally, the RTC 295 enablestime stamping of operational data (e.g., which may be stored for laterexport) and, may, in some embodiments, enable a security feature wherebya lockout time is set by a user and the light device 105 is locked-outwhen the time of the RTC 295 exceeds the set lockout time.

The processor 293 of the wireless communication controller 265 switchesbetween operating in a connectable (e.g., full power) state andoperating in an advertisement state. In the illustrated embodiment, thewireless communication controller 265 switches between operating in theconnectable state and the advertisement state based on whether the lightdevice 105 receives power from an external source, or whether the lightdevice 105 is disconnected from an external power source. For example,the wireless communication controller 265 operates in the connectablestate when the light device 105 receives power from an external AC powersource. The wireless communication controller 265 also operates in theconnectable state when the light device 105 receives power through oneof the battery pack ports 230 and the connected battery pack holdssufficient charge (i.e., the voltage of the connected battery pack isabove a threshold). When the light device 105 is not connected to anoutside power source, the wireless communication controller 265 mayreceive power from the back-up power source, and operates in theadvertisement state.

When the wireless communication controller 265 operates in theadvertisement state, the light device 105 generates and broadcasts anidentification signal, but data exchange between the light device 105 islimited to select information. In other words, in the advertisementstate, the wireless communication controller 265 outputs anadvertisement message including identification information regarding thelight device identity, remaining capacity of the back-up power source(e.g., if one is included), and other limited information about thelight device. The advertisement message may also identify the product asbeing from a particular manufacturer or brand via a unique binaryidentification “UBID.” The unique binary identification UBID identifiesthe type of light device and also provides a unique identifier for theparticular light device (e.g., a serial number). Therefore, the externaldevice 115, and the light devices 105 and other power tool devices 110can identify the light device 105 even when the wireless communicationcontroller 265 operates in the advertisement state.

When the wireless communication controller 265 operates in theconnectable state, full wireless communication between the light device105 and other devices in the communication system 100 (e.g., power tooldevices 110 and the external device 115) is enabled. From theconnectable state, the wireless communication controller 265 canestablish a communication link (e.g., pair) with another device (e.g.,another light device 105, a power tool device 110, and/or the externaldevice 115) to obtain and export usage data for the light device 105,maintenance data, operation mode information, outputs from the sensors250, 255, 257, 260, and the like from the light device 105 (e.g., lightdevice electronic processor 270). The exported information can be usedby tool users or owners to log data related to a particular light device105 or to specific job activities.

The exported and logged data can indicate when the light device 105 wasactivated, and the power consumption of the light device 105. The loggeddata can also provide a chronological record of what areas wereilluminated in a chronological order or in a geographical order. Whilepaired with another device (e.g., the external device 115, a power tooldevice 110, or another light device 105), the wireless communicationcontroller 265 also imports (i.e., receives) information from the otherdevices (e.g., the external device 115, power tool device 110, and/oranother light device 105) into the light device 105 such as, forexample, configuration data, operation thresholds, maintenancethreshold, configuring modes of operation of the light device,programming of the light device 105, programming for the light device105, and the like.

The electronic processor 270 is coupled to the wireless communicationcontroller 265, the sensors 250, 255, 257, 260, the control panel 245,the power circuit 235, and the charging circuit 240. The electronicprocessor 270 receives detection outputs from each of the sensors 250,255, 257, 260. In response to some of the detection outputs, theelectronic processor 270 changes an operational parameter of the lightdevice 105 such that the operation of the light device 105 is alteredbased on a detection from a sensor 250, 255, 257, 260. For example, theelectronic processor 270 may decrease the brightness of the lights 220in response to detecting, via an environmental sensor 257, that theambient light is above a threshold. The electronic processor 270 alsostores (or sends to a memory for storage) some of the detection outputsfrom each of the sensors 250, 255, 257, 260, and may store additionalinformation associated with the detection output (for example, time ofdetection, date of detection, and the like). The electronic processor270 then controls the wireless communication controller 265 to send awireless message to the external device 115 including informationregarding one or more detection output from one of the sensors 250, 255,257, 260. The wireless message may include an alarm message to theexternal device 115 (for example, when AC power to a light device 105has been interrupted), or may be a notification message meant forupdating information regarding the light device 105.

The electronic processor 270 receives signals from the control panel 245indicating which controls were actuated by the user. The electronicprocessor 270 then sends control signals to the power circuit 235 suchthat the appropriate power is transmitted to the lights 220 toilluminate them according to the instructions received through thecontrol panel 245. For example, the electronic processor 270 may receivea signal from the control panel 245 indicating that the light intensitycontrol 280 has been actuated to increase the brightness of the lights220. The electronic processor 270 may then instruct the power circuit235 to increase the power provided to the lights 220 such that the lightintensity of the lights 220 increases. The electronic processor 270 alsoreceives commands and control signals from the external device 115through the wireless communication controller 265, and transmitscorresponding control signals to the power circuit 235 based on thereceived commands and control signals. The electronic processor 270sends the control signals to the power circuit 235 such that the lights220 are illuminated according to the instructions received from theexternal device 115.

Additionally, because each light device 105 may be part of a meshnetwork, the electronic processor 270 determines whether the controlsignals and/or other communications received through the transceiver 165include the light device 105 as a final recipient, and forwards anynecessary communications from the external device 115 in which the lightdevice 105 is not its final destination.

Therefore, using the external device 115, a user can both control alight device 105 and/or access stored information regarding the lightdevice 105. For example, a user may access stored light usagemaintenance data through the external device 115. The light device usageinformation may allow a user to determine how the light device 105 hasbeen used, whether maintenance is recommended or has been performed inthe past, and identify malfunctioning components or other reasons forcertain performance issues. The external device 115 can also transmitdata to the light device 105 for light configuration, firmware updates,or to send commands (e.g., turn on a light). The external device 115also allows a user to set operational parameters, safety parameters,group lights together, and the like for the light device 105.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary power tool device 110. In theillustrated embodiments, the power tool device 110 includes a powertool. In other embodiments, however, the power tool device 110 mayalternatively include a power tool battery pack, and/or a battery packcharger. In some embodiments, the power tool device 110 may includedifferent type(s) of power tools. The power tool device 110 isconfigured to perform one or more specific tasks (e.g., drilling,cutting, fastening, pressing, lubricant application, sanding, heating,grinding, bending, forming, impacting, polishing, charging, providingoutput power, and the like). In the illustrated example, the power tooldevice 110 includes an impact wrench being associated with the task ofgenerating a rotational output (e.g., to drive a bit), while areciprocating saw, for example, is associated with the task ofgenerating a reciprocating output motion (e.g., for pushing and pullinga saw blade). The task(s) associated with a particular power tool devicemay also be referred to as the primary function(s) of the power tooldevice 110. The particular power tool devices 110 illustrated anddescribed herein (e.g., an impact driver) are merely representative.Other embodiments of the communication system 100 include a variety oftypes of power tool devices 110 (e.g., a power drill, a hammer drill, apipe cutter, a sander, a nailer, a grease gun, a charger, a batterypack, etc.).

As shown in FIG. 4 , the exemplary power tool device 110 includes anoutput device 405, a mode pad 410, a trigger 420, a motor 425, aswitching network 430, sensors 435, indicators 440, a battery packinterface 445, a power input unit 450, a tool electronic processor 455,and a tool communication controller 460. The power tool device 110receives power through the battery pack interface 445. The battery packinterface 445 mechanically and electrically couples to a battery packfor the power tool device 110. The battery pack interface 445 is alsocoupled to the power input unit 450, and transmits the power receivedfrom the battery pack to the power input unit 450. The power input unit450 includes active and/or passive components (e.g., voltage step-downcontrollers or transformers, voltage converters, rectifiers, filters,and the like) to regulate and/or control the power received through thebattery pack interface 445 and to the tool communication controller 460and the tool electronic processor 455.

The power input unit 450 then selectively provides power to theswitching network 430 based on a user input received through the trigger420 and/or the mode pad 410, as well as from control signals from thetool electronic processor 455. The switching network 430 enables thetool electronic processor 455 to control the operation of the motor 425.Generally, when the trigger 420 is depressed (e.g., by a user),electrical current is supplied from the battery pack interface 445 tothe motor 425, via the switching network 430. When the trigger 420 isnot depressed, electrical current is not supplied from the battery packinterface 445 to the motor 425. The switching network 430 may includenumerous FETs, bipolar transistors, or other types of electricalswitches. For instance, the switching network 430 may include a six-FETbridge that receives pulse-width modulated (PWM) signals from the toolelectronic processor 455 to drive the motor 425.

When the motor 425 is energized, the motor 425 drives the output device405. In the illustrated embodiment, the output device 405 includes asocket. However, each power tool may have a different output device 405specifically designed for the task (or primary function) associated withthe power tool. For example, the drive device for a power drill mayinclude a bit driver, while the drive device for a pipe cutter mayinclude a blade. The mode pad 410 receives a user input indicating adesired mode of operation of the power tool device 110. The mode pad 410also indicates to the user a currently selected mode of operation forthe power tool device 110.

The power tool device 110 also includes sensors 435 that are coupled tothe tool electronic processor 455. The sensors 435 communicate varioussignals indicative of different parameter of the power tool device 110.In the illustrated embodiments, the sensors 435 include Hall Effectsensors 435 a, current sensors 435 b, among other sensors, such as oneor more voltage sensors, temperature sensors, torque sensors, and thelike. The Hall Effect sensors 435 a output motor feedback information tothe tool electronic processor 455. The current sensors 435 b may outputinformation regarding the load current experienced by the motor 425. Theindicators 440 are also coupled to the tool electronic processor 455 andreceive control signals from the tool electronic processor 455 to turnon and off, or otherwise convey information based on different states ofthe power tool device 110. The indicators 440 include, for example, oneor more light-emitting diodes (“LED”), or a display screen. Theindicators 440 can be configured to display conditions of, orinformation associated with, the power tool device 110. For example, theindicators 440 are configured to indicate measured electricalcharacteristics of the power tool device 110, the status of the powertool device 110, the mode of the power tool device 110, etc. Theindicators 440 may also include elements to convey information to a userthrough audible or tactile outputs.

As described above, the tool electronic processor 455 is electricallyand/or communicatively connected to a variety of modules or componentsof the power tool device 110. In some embodiments, the tool electronicprocessor 455 includes a plurality of electrical and electroniccomponents that provide power, operational control, and protection tothe components and modules within the tool electronic processor 455and/or power tool device 110. For example, the tool electronic processor455 includes, among other things, a processing unit (e.g., amicroprocessor, a microcontroller, or another suitable programmabledevice), a memory 465, input units, and output units. In someembodiments, the tool electronic processor 455 is implemented partiallyor entirely on a semiconductor (e.g., a field-programmable gate array[“FPGA”] semiconductor) chip, such as a chip developed through aregister transfer level (“RTL”) design process.

The memory 465 includes, for example, a program storage area 467 a and adata storage area 467 b. The program storage area 467 a and the datastorage area 467 b can include combinations of different types ofmemory. The tool electronic processor 455 is connected to the memory 465and executes software instructions that are capable of being stored in aRAM of the memory 465 (e.g., during execution), a ROM of the memory 465(e.g., on a generally permanent basis), or another non-transitorycomputer readable medium such as another memory or a disc. Softwareincluded in the implementation of the power tool device 110 can bestored in the memory 465 of the power tool device 110. The softwareincludes, for example, firmware, one or more applications, program data,filters, rules, one or more program modules, and other executableinstructions.

The tool electronic processor 455 is configured to retrieve from memory465 and execute, among other things, instructions related to the controlprocesses and methods described herein. The tool electronic processor455 is also configured to store power tool device information on thememory 465 including operational data, information identifying the typeof power tool device, a unique identifier for the particular tooldevice, and other information relevant to operating or maintaining thepower tool device 110. The tool device usage information, such ascurrent levels, motor speed, motor acceleration, motor direction, numberof impacts, may be captured or inferred from data output by the sensors435. These tool device parameters are monitored by the tool electronicprocessor 455 to operate according to the mode selected via the mode pad410. These parameters are also transmitted to other devices in thecommunication system 100 (e.g., light devices 105, the external device115, and/or other power tool devices 110) to become accessible to auser. In other constructions, the tool electronic processor 455 includesadditional, fewer, or different components.

The tool communication controller 460 is coupled to the tool electronicprocessor 455 and exchanges wireless messages with other power tooldevices 110 in the communication system 100, the external device 115,and/or light devices 105 in the communication system 100. The toolcommunication controller 460 includes a transceiver 470, a processor475, and a real-time clock 480. The tool communication controller 460 issimilar in construction and in operation to the wireless communicationcontroller 265 described above with reference to the exemplary lightdevice 105, and description of the wireless communication controller 265therefore analogously applies to the tool communication controller 460.For example, the tool communication controller 460 controls wirelesscommunications between the power tool device 110 and other components ofthe communication system, includes a real-time clock 480 fortime-stamping data received by the sensors 435, may operate using theBluetooth ® protocol (or another wireless communication protocol),switches operation between an advertisement mode and a connectable modebased on the power source for the power tool device 110, and may bepowered by a back-up power source. The advertisement state and theconnectable state of the tool communication controller 460 are similarto that described above with respect to the wireless communicationcontroller 265 of the light device 105. For example, when the toolcommunication controller 460 operates in the advertisement state, datacommunication with the power tool device 110 is limited (e.g., to, forexample, identification and/or location information associated with thepower tool device 110). However, when the tool communication controller460 operates in the connectable state, full bidirectional datacommunication with the power tool device 110 is enabled. For example, inthe connectable state, the tool communication controller 460 maytransmit information regarding usage data, maintenance data, modeinformation, drive device information, and the like from the power tooldevice 110.

The tool communication controller 460 operates in the advertisementstate when the power tool device 110 is not connected to an externalpower source (e.g., is disconnected from a battery pack) or theconnected power source does not have sufficient charge (e.g., theconnected battery pack is nearly depleted). The tool communicationcontroller 460 can switch to the connectable state when the externalpower source is connected to the power tool device 110 and holdsufficient charge to support bidirectional data exchange with the powertool device 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the tool communicationcontroller 460 is configured to communicate with other power tooldevices 110, light devices 105, and/or the external device 115. In otherembodiments, however, the tool communication controller 460 may notcommunicate with other power tool devices 110, and may instead use themesh network of the light devices 105 to extend its communication rangewith the external device 115. Using the external device 115, a user candetermine how the power tool device 110 has been used, whethermaintenance is recommended or has been performed in the past, andidentify malfunctioning components or other reasons for certainperformance issues. The external device 115 can also transmit data tothe power tool device 110 for power tool configuration, firmwareupdates, or to send commands (e.g., turn on a work light). The externaldevice 115 also allows a user to set operational parameters, safetyparameters, select tool modes, and the like for the power tool device110.

The exemplary power tool device 110 of FIG. 4 is described as a powertool. In another example, the power tool device may be a charger or abattery pack. In such embodiments, the power tool device 110 may notinclude a motor 425 and/or a switching network 430, and the outputdevice 405 may include the battery terminals configured to transferpower. In such embodiments, the sensors 435 do not measure the positionof the motor, and may instead measure, for example, other parameters ofa battery pack charger and/or a power tool battery pack, and maytransmit corresponding information to the tool electronic processor 455.

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of the external device 115. Asshown in FIG. 5 , the external device 115 includes a memory 505 storingcore application software 507, temporary configuration data 510 for thelight devices 105 and the power tool devices 110, device interfaces 515(e.g., interfaces for light devices and power tool devices), device data520 including received power tool device identifiers, light deviceidentifiers, power tool device operational data, light deviceoperational data, location information for light devices 105 and powertool devices 110, identification information for the light devices 105and the power tool devices 110, and the like. The external device 115further includes an electronic processor 525, a touch screen display530, and an external wireless communication controller 535. The touchscreen display 530 allows the external device 115 to output visual datato a user and receive user inputs. For example, the electronic processor525 may generate a graphical user interface to display usage informationfor a light device 105 on the touch screen display 530. The touch screendisplay 530 may then also receive user inputs (e.g., throughinteractions with the graphical user interface), and transmit the userinputs to the electronic processor 525.

Although not illustrated, the external device 115 may include otherinput devices (e.g., buttons, dials, toggle switches, and a microphonefor voice control) and other output devices (e.g., speakers and tactilefeedback elements). Additionally, in some instances, the external device115 has a display without touch screen input capability and receivesuser input via other input devices, such as buttons, dials, and toggleswitches. The external device 115 communicates wirelessly with thetransceiver of the light device 105 and/or the power tool device 110 viathe external wireless communication controller of the external device115, e.g., using a Bluetooth® or Wi-Fi® protocol. The external device115 further communicates with the remote server 120 through network 125.In some instances, the external device 115 includes two separatewireless communication controllers, one for communicating with the powertool devices 110 and the light devices 105 (e.g., using Bluetooth® orWi-Fi® communications) and one for communicating with the remote server120 (e.g., using Wi-Fi or cellular communications).

The server 120 includes a processor that communicates with the externaldevice 115 over the network 125 using a network interface. Thecommunication link between the network interface, the network 125, andthe external device 115 may include various wired and wirelesscommunication pathways, various network components, and variouscommunication protocols. The server 120 further includes a memoryincluding a tool profile bank and tool data, as well as lightidentification, usage, and operational data. The server 120 provides theability to store a larger amount of data than would be stored in theexternal device 115, as well as the ability for the user to access thedata from a different external device 115 than the one used to transmitdata to the server 120.

As discussed above, the light devices 105 form a mesh network that canbe used to extend the communication range of the external device 115 byusing at least some of the light devices 105 and/or the power tooldevices 110 as communication bridges. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustratinga process 600 for transmitting commands from a first device (e.g., afirst light device 105 a) to a second device (e.g., a second lightdevice 105 b) of the communication system 100. As discussed above, thefirst light device 105 a includes a first light that is activated by theelectronic processor 270 of the first light device 105 a (step 605). Theelectronic processor 270 of the first light device 105 a then transmitsa command to a second light device 105 b via a first wirelesscommunication controller 265 of the first light device 105 a (step 610).In the illustrated embodiment, the command instructs the second lightdevice 105 b to change an operational parameter of a second light of thesecond light device 105 b. The wireless communication controller 265 ofthe second light device 105 b receives the command from the first lightdevice 105 a (step 615). The electronic processor 270 of the secondlight device 105 b determines that the command instructs the secondlight device 105 b to change an operational parameter of the secondlight. The electronic processor 270 of the second light device 105 bthen changes an operational parameter of the second light in response toreceiving the command through the first light device 105 a. Theoperational parameter may include, for example, a pre-programmed runtimefor the second light, a brightness associated with the second light, anenabled or disabled feature associated with the second light device 105b, a power consumption of the second light device 105 b, an associatedapplication for the second light device 105 b, a combination thereof,and/or any of the parameters discussed above with respect to theexemplary light device 105. For example, in some embodiments, thecommand may instruct the second light device 105 a to turn the secondlight on. In other embodiments, the command includes changes to multipleoperational parameters. In such embodiments, the command may be referredto as new configuration data, since the second light device 105 b isre-configured based on the received command from the first light device105 a.

In some embodiments, the command from the first light device 105 aoriginates at the first light device 105 a based on a received inputthrough, for example, the control panel 245. However, in otherembodiments, the command originates from the external device 115, butuses the first light device 105 a as a communication bridge between theexternal device 115 and the second light device 105 b. FIG. 7 is aflowchart illustrating a method 700 for transmitting a command to alight device 105 from an external device 115. In the illustratedembodiment, the external device 115 performs a scan for nearby devices(step 705). The external device 115 receives an advertisement signal(e.g., an identification signal) from each nearby device in thecommunication system 100. The external device 115 then displays on itstouch screen display 530, a list of the nearby devices (step 710). Inone embodiment, the list of nearby devices only includes those devices(e.g., light devices 105 and/or power tool devices 110) that are withinthe direct communication range 130 of the external device 115. Forexample, referring back to FIG. 1 , the list of nearby devices wouldonly include the first light device 105 and the first power tool device110 a because the second light device 105 b and the second power tooldevice 110 b are not within the direct communication range 130 of theexternal device 115. In other embodiments, however, the list of nearbydevices includes any device (e.g., light devices 105 and power tooldevices 110) that is in communication with the external device 115(e.g., has a communication path to the external device 115). In suchembodiments, for example, the list of nearby devices would include thefirst light device 105 a, the second light device 105 b, the first powertool device 110 a, and the second power tool device 110 b. FIG. 8illustrates an exemplary screenshot of a list 713 of nearby devicesdisplayed on the external device 115. In the example of FIG. 8 , thelist 713 of nearby devices includes any device with which the externaldevice 115 can establish a communication path.

The external device 115, via the touch screen display 530, receives aselection of a device from the list of nearby devices (step 715). Asdiscussed above, the external device 115 includes a touch screen, andthe selection is received by an actuation of the touch screen. Becauseeach device within the communication system 100 is different, mayoperate differently, and may include different components, the externaldevice 115 (i.e., a device electronic processor) configures a settingsscreen for the selected device based on the information of the selecteddevice. In some embodiments, the external device 115 may communicatewith the server 120 to configure the settings screen for the selecteddevice based on identification information of the selected device. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the selected device is a selected lightdevice 105 (e.g., the first light device 105 a, the second light device105 b, or a different light device), and a device electronic processorof the external device 115 displays settings screen associated with theselected light device 105 (step 720).

In some embodiments, a home screen for the selected device is displayedon the external device 115 before displaying the settings screen for theselected device. FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary screenshot of a homescreen 722 for the selected light device 105. As shown in FIG. 9 , thehome screen 722 displays options for the user to manage the interactionwith the selected light device 105. For example, the home screen 722includes a light controls option 725, a group manager option 730, alocate option 735, and a factory reset option 740. In the illustratedembodiment, the home screen 722 also includes an icon 745 for theparticular device (in this example, the selected light device 105). Thisicon 745 may be the same icon displayed on the list 713 of nearbydevices in FIG. 8 . The factory reset option 740 causes the externaldevice 115 to obtain default values for the operational parameters ofthe selected device (e.g., from the server 120 and/or from the selectedlight device 105 itself), and provides the default values to theselected light device 105, which overwrites any current values of theoperational parameters for the selected light device 105 (or anotherselected device). The location option 735 is described in more detailbelow with respect to FIGS. 16-19 , while the group manager option isdescribed in more detail with respect to FIG. 11 .

When the controls option 725 is selected, a settings screen is displayedthat corresponds to the selected device. In this example, a settingsscreen is displayed that corresponds to the selected light device 105.FIG. 10 is an exemplary screenshot of a settings screen 750 for theselected light device 105. As shown in FIG. 10 , several settings areassociated with the selected light device 105. For example, theexemplary settings screen 750 includes a pre-set application parameter752, a dimmer parameter 754, a tracking feature parameter 756, aschedule parameter 758, a don’t blind me feature parameter 760, and anambient light feature parameter 762. The settings screen 750 alsodisplays some power consumption metrics 764, and provides an option torequest more information 766. Each of the parameters displayed on thesettings screen 750 may be manipulated by a user. For example, a usercan change the pre-set application between a drywall application, apaint application, an outdoor application, and in some embodiments,additional application options may be provided. Each application isassociated with a particular brightness of the selected light device,and/or a hue or color of the selected light device. In some embodiments,each application may additionally or alternatively be associated with aparticular runtime, and/or a particular power consumption.

The dimmer parameter 754 also allows a user to specify the dimming levelor the brightness level for the selected light device 105. In theillustrated embodiment, a user may select, via a slider, whether thefirst light of the selected light device 105 is at its maximumbrightness (e.g., fully on or 100% brightness), at its minimumbrightness (e.g., fully off or 0% brightness), or at any other level inbetween. The tracking feature parameter 756 allows the user to togglethe tracking feature on and off. The tracking feature allows theselected light device 105 to operate as a tracking light and provideinformation to the external device 115 and the server 120 regarding thepresence and/or movement of other devices within the communicationnetwork. The operation of the selected light device 105 as a trackinglight is explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 16-19 .

The schedule parameter 758 allows a user to specify a particularlighting schedule for the selected light device 105. The user mayspecify different periods (each period including a start time and an endtime) and an associated brightness or dimming level for that period. Forexample, FIG. 10 illustrates a period starting at 8am and ending at 7pmduring which the selected light device 105 operates at 30% brightness. Anumber of different periods may be added such that the brightness levelof the first light changes based on time of day. Another featureselectable for the selected light device 105 through the settings screen750 includes an economy plan feature 759. The economy plan feature 759controls the brightness of the light such that overall power consumptionof the selected light device 105, and, in some embodiments, of thedevices of the communication system 100 is reduced. This may include,for example, rotating which light devices are turned off during certainperiod of time, reducing overall brightness in each of the light devices105 (e.g., decreasing brightness by 15% when an economy mode isselected), and the like.

The don’t blind me feature parameter 760 allows the user to toggle thedon’t blind me feature on and off. When the “don’t blind me” feature isenabled, the selected light device 105 detects when a headlight isfocused on the selected light device 105. For example, the selectedlight device 105 may use one or more of the environmental sensors todetect whether additional light is pointed toward the first light device105. When the selected light device 105 determines that additional lightis pointed toward the first light device 105, and therefore a headlightis focused on the selected light device 105, the selected light device105 automatically lowers its brightness level to inhibit blinding aperson using a headlight that is pointed toward the selected lightdevice 105. In some embodiments, the first light device 105 (e.g., theelectronic processor 270 of the selected light device 105) determinesthat a headlight is pointed toward the selected light device 105 when alight sensor detects a higher than normal brightness at the selectedlight device 105.

The ambient light feature parameter 762 allows the user to toggle theambient light feature on and off. When the “ambient light” feature isenabled, the selected light device 105 (i.e., the electronic processor270 of the selected light device 105) detects when an amount of ambientlight increases and decreases and changes the brightness of the firstlight of the selected light device 105 correspondingly. For example,when the electronic processor 270 of the selected light device 105detects that the ambient light is above a predetermined high ambientlight threshold, the electronic processor 270 of the selected lightdevice 105 decreases the brightness of the first light by approximately50%. On the other hand, when the electronic processor 270 of theselected light device 105 detects that the ambient light is below apredetermined low ambient light threshold, the electronic processor 270of the selected light device 105 increases the brightness of the firstlight by approximately 50%. When the ambient light is between the lowambient light threshold and the high ambient light threshold, theelectronic processor 270 of the selected light device 105 may linearlychange the brightness of the first light inversely proportional to theambient light detected by the electronic processor 270 of the selectedlight device 105. The ambient light feature may provide some powersavings as well as providing an ability to maintain a relatively evenlevel of brightness by compensating for the outdoor environment.

As shown in FIG. 10 , the settings screen 750 may also provide the userwith the opportunity to obtain further information regarding theselected light device 105. For example, the settings screen 750 displaysthe power consumption metrics 764 including an average power consumptionof the selected light device 105, an estimate of the remaining runtime,and an estimate of the remaining power of a battery pack coupled to theselected light device 105 (e.g., the state of charge of a battery packcoupled to the selected light device 105). In other embodiments, more,less, or different power consumption metrics may be displayed to theuser to provide some feedback regarding the power consumption of theselected light device 105. In the illustrated embodiment, the settingsscreen 750 also includes an option to obtain further historical powerconsumption information for the selected light device 105. Moreinformation regarding the selected light device 105 and/or motiondetected by the selected light device 105 may be requested by the userby actuating the obtain more information actuator 766.

The external device 115 may directly control the selected light device105 by toggling the selected light device 105 on/off. In someapplications and/or circumstances, the external device 115 receives auser input indicating that the selected light device 105 is to flash,for example, three times. Users near the selected light device 105 mayhave been previously trained to know that flashing of the selected lightdevice was indicative of a particular event. For example, in somesituations, the flashing of a selected light device 105 may indicatethat an assembly line is starting or stopping soon, that a securityalarm was enabled, and the like.

Referring pack to FIG. 7 , a user may select to change any (orcombinations of) the parameters described above with reference to FIG.10 . When a user selects one or more parameters to change, the externaldevice 115 (i.e., the electronic processor of the external device 115)receives the user inputs (step 770). In response to receiving the userinput indicating the changed parameter(s), the external device 115transmits a command to the selected light device 105 based on the userinput(s) received at the external device 115 (step 775). The commandtransmitted by the external device 115 includes a destination addressthat corresponds to the address of the selected light device 105. Sincethe first light device 105 a is within the communication range of theexternal device 115, the first light device 105 a receives the commandfor the selected light device 105 (step 780). In some embodiments, theexternal device 115 transmits the command to one or more of the devices(e.g., light devices 105 and/or power tool devices 110) that are withinthe direct communication range of the external device 115, and allowsthe mesh network of the communication system 100 to deliver the commandto the selected light device 105.

In other embodiments, however, the external device 115 first determineswhether the selected light device 105 is within the direct communicationrange of the external device 115. When the selected light device iswithin the communication range of the external device 115, the externaldevice 115 sends the command directly to the selected light device 105.On the other hand, when the external device 115 determines that theselected light device 105 is not within the direct communication rangeof the external device 115, the external device 115 sends the command toa light device 105 within its communication range. In this example, theexternal device 115 sends the command to the first light device 105 abecause the first light device 105 a is within the communication rangeof the external device 115.

The electronic processor 270 of the first light device 105 a, uponreceiving the command, determines whether the destination address of thereceived command from the external device 115 includes the address ofthe first light device 105 a (step 785). In other words, the first lightdevice 105 a determines whether the command from the external device 115is for the first light device 105 a. When the electronic processor 270of the first light device 105 a determines that the destination addressincludes the address of the first light device 105 a (e.g., the selectedlight device 105 is the first light device 105 a), the electronicprocessor 270 of the first light device 105 a changes the operationalparameter of the first light based on the command received from theexternal device 115 (step 790). On the other hand, when the electronicprocessor 270 of the first light device 15 a determines that thedestination address does not include the address of the first lightdevice 105 a (e.g., the selected light device 105 is not the first lightdevice 105 a, but a different light device 105), the wirelesscommunication controller 265 of the first light device 105 a forwardsthe command to the second light device 105 b (step 795). The secondlight device 105 b, then receives the command, and determines whetherthe destination address includes the address of the second light device105 b. Such a forwarding process continues until the command reaches theselected light device 105. The light devices 105 of the communicationsystem 100 may implement different routing algorithms to decide where toforward wireless messages when the receiving light device 105 is notincluded in the final destination of a wireless message.

FIGS. 6 and 7 were described assuming that both communicating devicesincluded light devices 105. However, in some embodiments, the externaldevice 115 may be used to change and/or re-configure a selected powertool device 110. The external device 115 may generate a separatesettings screen (or control screen) for each power tool device 110 thatconforms to the features available for the particular power tool device110. Additionally, a power tool device 110 could also substitute thefirst light device 105 a and/or the second light device 105 b describedwith respect to FIG. 6 . In other words, a first light device 105 a maysend a command to a power tool device 110 (e.g., using the first lightdevice 105 a as a communication bridge), a power tool device 110 maysend a command to a second light device 105 b (e.g., using the powertool device 110 as a communication bridge), and/or a first power tooldevice 110 a may send a command to a second power tool device 110 b.Although not shown, parameters such as rotating speed, applied torque,rotation direction, number of impacts, provided current and more may becustomizable for a power tool device 110 through a settings screendisplayed on the external device 115. Light devices 105 and/or otherpower tool devices 110 may then be used as communication bridges betweenthe external device 115 and a selected power tool device 110.

In some embodiments, a plurality of light devices 105 may be groupedtogether (e.g., by a user or by default) such that changes to theoperational parameter(s) affect each light device 105 in the group ofthe light devices 105. Referring back to FIG. 9 , the group manageroption 730 allows a user to group and re-group different number of lightdevices 105 such that they can be controlled simultaneously. The similarparameters are available to a group of light devices 105 than to asingle light device 105. When the external device 115 receives a userinput indicating changes to an operational parameter of the group oflight devices 105, the external device 115 may send a command directlyto each of the light devices 105 within the group of light devices 105.In other embodiments, however, the external device 115 transmits thecommand to a single light device 105 within its communication range, andthe command reaches each of the light devices 105 in the group throughthe mesh network.

FIG. 11 is an exemplary screenshot of a control screen 800 for a group Aof light devices 105 a-d. The groups may be based on, for example, theenergy source for the light devices 105 (e.g., a set of light devicesmay share the same power source). The power source may include abattery, an AC outlet, a power tool battery pack, and the like. Thecontrol screen 800 includes on/off actuators 805 a-d for each of thelight devices 105 a-d in the group A to turn on/off each of the lightdevices 105 a-d individually. The control screen 800 also provides an“all on” control 810, and an “all off” control 815 to control all of thelight devices 105 a-d in the group simultaneously. Additionally, alocate option 820 is available and may provide location information forone or more of the light devices 105 a-d of the group A, as described inmore detail below with reference to FIGS. 16-19 . The group A of lightdevices 105 a-d may also be edited by selecting the “edit group” option825. By activating the “edit group” option, specific light devices 105a-d may be added and/or deleted from the group A. Additional informationmay also be requested from the light devices 105 a-d and/or from theserver 120 through the “obtain information” option 830. FIG. 12illustrates an exemplary screenshot of additional information availablefor at least one of the light devices 105 of the group A. As shown inFIG. 12 , the external device 115 may display a motion graph 835 thatprovides information regarding motion detected by the motion sensor 250of a light device 105, as well as a brightness graph 840 that displaysthe relative brightness provided by the light device 105 throughout theday. In the illustrated embodiment, the external device 115 alsodisplays an environmental data graph 845 depicting values obtained fromthe environmental sensor 257 of a light device 105. The external device115 may obtain the shown information by communication directly from thelight device 105, or may request the information from the server 120.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method 850 of forwarding commandsto a group of light devices 105. The flowchart of FIG. 13 , follows, forexample, from step 790 of FIG. 7 . After the first light device 105 areceives the command from the external device 115 because thedestination address includes the address of the first light device 105 a(step 790 of FIG. 7 ), the electronic processor 270 of the first lightdevice 105 a determines whether the destination address includes a groupof light devices (e.g., instead of only the address of the first lightdevice 105 a) at step 855. When the destination address includes a groupof light devices 105, the wireless communication controller 265 of thefirst light device 105 a forwards the command to the second light device105 b. The second light device 105 b may then have to determine whetherthe destination address of the command includes the address of thesecond light command (step 860). However, when the destination addressdoes not include a group of light devices 105 (e.g., and the command wasinstead directed only at the first light device 105 a), the first lightdevice 105 a continues operation of the first light device 105 a andcontinues monitoring for incoming wireless messages from other deviceswithin the communication system 100 (step 865).

FIGS. 6-13 illustrate methods and screenshots related to using anexternal device 115 to reconfigure and/or change operational parametersof the light devices 105. Communication with the external device 115 bythe light devices 105, however, is also useful to access operationalinformation (e.g., metrics) regarding the light devices 105 and/or powertool devices 110. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a method 900 oftransmitting a message to the external device 115 from a device (e.g., alight device 105 and/or a power tool device 110) of the communicationsystem 100. In the example of the method 900, the first light device 105sends the message to the external device 115. In other embodimentsand/or examples, other devices in the communication system 100, such as,other light devices 105 and/or power tool devices 110, may send thewireless message to the external device 115. First, the electronicprocessor 270 of the first light device 105 a receives a communicationtrigger signal (step 905). A communication trigger signal represents asignal that upon receipt is to be communicated to the external device115. A communication trigger signal may be an external signal receivedfrom a different light device 105 and/or power tool device 110, or maybe an internal signal generated by the first light device 105 itself.For example, an external signal may include a wireless message receivedfrom another light device 105 or power tool device 110 (e.g., from thesecond light device 105 b) and that includes the address of the externaldevice 115 as its destination address. Therefore, when the first lightdevice 105 a receives a message directed to the external device 115 (oranother device in the communication system 100), the message isconsidered a communication trigger signal because it triggers the firstlight device 105 a to transmit a wireless message to another deviceand/or the external device 115.

In another example, the internal communication trigger signal mayinclude a determination by the electronic processor 270 of the firstlight device 105 a that an output from a sensor 250, 255, 257, 260exceeds a predetermined sensor alert threshold. In such embodiments, theelectronic processor 270 of the first light device 105 a mayautomatically generate an alert message to the external device 115indicating that a particular parameter (e.g., an environmentalparameter) exceeds an expected value and/or range. In particular, whenthe power sensor 260 detects that AC power to the first light device 105a has been interrupted, the electronic processor 270 of the first lightdevice 105 a prepares an alert message to the external device 115 thatAC power has been interrupted at the first light device 105 a. Inanother example, the motion sensor may detect motion (or repeatedmotion) near the first light device 105 a, which may prompt theelectronic processor 270 of the first light device 105 a to prepare adifferent alert message to the external device 115. In some embodiments,the light device 105 communicates with the external device 115 when abattery pack needs replacement and/or when a battery is fully charged.Other internal or external signals that prompt the electronic processor270 of the first light device 105 a to prepare a message to the externaldevice 115 may be considered communication trigger signals. In someembodiments, a communication trigger signal may additionally trigger achange in the operation of the device. For example, when the powersensor 260 of a light device 105 indicates that AC power has been lost,the brightness level of the light is automatically reduced in responseto the output from the power sensor 260. In another example, when alight device 105 detects a power tool device 110 within a specifiedproximity range, the light device 105 may automatically (e.g., inresponse to detecting the proximity to the power tool device 110)activate its light and/or direct the light toward the direction in whichthe power tool device 110 is located relative to the light device 105.

After the electronic processor 270 of the first light device 105 areceives the communication trigger signal, the electronic processor 270of the first light device 105 a constructs an appropriate wirelessmessage to the external device 115 (step 910). The content of thewireless message is based on the communication trigger signal. Forexample, when the communication trigger signal includes a wirelessmessage received from another device (e.g., the second light device 105b) in the communication system 100, the wireless message to the externaldevice 115 includes the original wireless message (e.g., from the secondlight device 105 b). In a different example, when the communicationtrigger signal includes an indication that an environmental sensor 257of the first light device 105 a detects an environmental parameter(e.g., carbon monoxide concentration) to be above the predeterminedthreshold, the wireless message to the external device 115 includes anindication of which environmental parameter is outside an expectedrange. The wireless communication controller 265 of the first lightdevice 105 a then determines whether the external device 115 is withinthe communication range of the first device 105 a (step 915). When theexternal device 115 is within the direct communication range of thefirst device 105 a, the wireless communication controller 265 of thefirst light device 105 a transmits the message to the external device115 directly (step 920). On the other hand, when the external device 115is not within the direct communication range of the first light device105 a, the wireless communication controller 265 of the first lightdevice 105 a transmits the message to the second light device 105 bincluding instructions (e.g., a destination address) that specify thatthe wireless message is directed to the external device 115 (step 925).

The second light device 105 b then receives the wireless message, anddetermines whether the external device 115 is within the directcommunication range of the second light device 105 b (step 930).Although not shown, in some embodiments, the second light device 105 balso determines whether the destination of the wireless message includesthe address of the second light device. Since the destination address ofthe wireless message does not include the address of the second lightdevice, the electronic processor 270 of the second light device 105proceeds to determining whether the external device 115 is within thedirect communication range of the second light device 105 b.

When the external device 115 is within the direct communication range ofthe second light device 105 b, the wireless communication controller 265of the second light device 105 b transmits the message to the externaldevice 115 (step 935). On the other hand, when the second light device105 b is still outside the direct communication range of the externaldevice 115, the second light device 105 b (e.g., the communicationcontroller 265 of the second light device 115) transmits the wirelessmessage to a third light device in an attempt to reach the externaldevice 115 (step 940). Therefore, when a light device 105 is within thedirect communication range of the external device 115, the light device105 forwards the wireless message to the external device 115. FIG. 15illustrates an exemplary screenshot of an alert message 950 sent to theexternal device 115 from the first light device 105 a. The alert message950 indicates that AC power was lost at the first light device 105 a(e.g., the communication trigger signal was caused by the power sensor260).

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a method 1000 of updating theexternal device 115 regarding motion detected by a light device (forexample, the first light device 105 a). First, the first light device105 a detects motion within a proximity range of the first light device(step 1005). The first light device 105 a then determines the source ofthe movement (step 1010). In particular, the electronic processor 270 ofthe first light device 105 a determines whether the detected motion is,for example, from a nearby power tool device 110 and/or from a nearbyexternal device 115. After the electronic processor 270 of the firstlight device 105 a identifies the source of movement, the electronicprocessor 270 of the first light device 105 a constructs the message tothe external device 115 including a location and/or movement signal(step 1015). As discussed above, in some embodiments, detection ofmotion at the first light device 105 a also prompts the electronicprocessor 270 of the first light device 105 a to change a parameter ofthe first light device 105 a. In one embodiment, when a light device 105detects a power tool device 110 within a specified proximity range, thelight device 105 may automatically (e.g., in response to detecting theproximity to the power tool device 110) activate its light and/or directthe light toward the direction in which the power tool device 110 islocated relative to the light device 105.

The location and/or movement signal includes an indication of thelocation of the first light device 105 a and an indication of the powertool device 110 and/or the external device 115 located proximate to thefirst light device 105 a. In some embodiments, the location of the firstlight device 105 a is obtained through the location unit 255. In otherembodiments, the location of the first light device is a relativelocation that indicates the location of the first light device 105 arelative to other light devices in the communication system 100. Theexternal device 115 receives the wireless message including the locationand/or movement signal (step 1020), and transmits the location and/ormovement signal to the remote server 120 (step 1025).

The remote server 120 stores, among other things, a most recent locationfor each of the devices in the communication system 100. For example,the remote server 120 may include a database in which the location ofthe light devices 105 and the power tool devices 110 is updatedperiodically. When the remote server 120 receives the location and/ormovement signal from the external device 115, the remote server 120updates the location associated with the light device 105 or the powertool device 110 detected by the first light device 105 a (step 1030).Thereby, the different light devices 105 may serve to continuously trackthe power tool devices 110, other light devices 105, and/or the externaldevices 115 that are part of the communication system 100. In someembodiments, by monitoring the location of the power tool devices 110and/or the external devices 115, the communication system 100 may alsobe able to monitor the well-being of its users. For example, if aparticular user is associated with a first external device 115 and anearby light device 105 detects that the first external device 115 hasnot changed location in more than, for example, three hours, the nearbylight device 105 may transmit an alert signal to another external device115 indicating that a particular user may need assistance.

Referring back to step 1005 of FIG. 16 , the first light device 105 amay detect motion using different methods. For example, in oneembodiment, the first light device 105 a detects the motion through themotion sensor 250. In response to the motion detected by the motionsensor 250, the electronic processor 270 of the first light device 105 aperforms a scan of nearby devices to determine whether a power tooldevice 110, another light device 105, and/or an external device 115 arelocated nearby. In some embodiments, the first light device 105 a mayestablish communication links with the nearby devices to monitor thereceived signal strength to determine which, if any, of the nearbydevices generated the motion signal. In other embodiments, the firstlight device 105 a (and at least some other light devices) perform ascan of the nearby devices. The first light device 105 a then receivesidentification signals from each of the nearby devices 105, 110, 115.The first light device 105 a then periodically repeats the scan (e.g.,approximately every hour) and transmits the information regarding thenearby devices to the external device 115 on every scan. Therefore, whena particular power tool device 110, for example, is first detected bythe first light device 105 a, 30 minutes later by a second light device105 b, and 60 minutes later by a third light device 105, the electronicprocessor of the external device 115 and/or an electronic processor atthe server 120 may determine a movement path (directional motion) of thepower tool device 110. In some embodiments, if the movement path of thepower tool device 110 seems unexpected (e.g., traveling quickly awayfrom the worksite), the first light device 105 a may send an alertsignal to the external device 115. At least some of the light devices105 may operate as a tracking light and may move (e.g., with a smallmotor of the light device 105) in accordance to movement sensed withinthe particular room such that light is directed toward the source ofmotion.

As suggested in FIGS. 9-11 , the external device 115 may also be used torequest some information regarding the location of the power tooldevices 110, the light devices 105, and/or the external devices 115.FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a method 1100 of requesting locationinformation for a device (e.g., a power tool device, a light device 105,and/or an external device 115) of the communication system 100. As shownin FIG. 17 , the external device 115 receives a selection to locate apower tool device 110 and/or a light device 105 (step 1105). As shown inFIGS. 9-11 , the request to locate a power tool device 110 and/or alight device 105 may be received from different screens displayed by theexternal device 115. The external device 115 may then communicate withthe server 120 and may receive a location signal from the server 120(step 1110). The external device 115 then generates a map display basedon the received location signal (step 1115). FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrateexemplary screenshots of mappings provided to provide the user withinformation regarding the location of the selected power tool devices110 and/or light devices 105. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 , the mappingalso provides an indication of the direction of where the power tooldevice 110 (FIG. 18 ) and/or the light device 105 (FIG. 19 ) withrespect to either the current location of the external device 115 and/orthe location of the nearest light device 105 and/or power tool device110.

In some embodiments, the external device 115 does not access the server120 to obtain the location information. Rather, the external device 115sends a communication signal to one of the power tool devices and thelight devices 105. Due to the mesh network configuration of thecommunication system 100, the request for the location of a particularpower tool device 110 is propagated through the mesh network. When theparticular power tool device 110 is found, a notification may, in someembodiments, be provided to the external device 115. In someembodiments, selecting the locate option 735 sends a command to thepaired light device (e.g., the first light device 105 a) requesting thatthe paired device provides a user-perceptible indication, such asflashing a light, lighting a different indicator or LEDs, making asound. In some embodiments, the external device 115 may receive morethan one indication that the power tool device 110 has been located(e.g., if the power tool device 110 is in the communication range ofmore than one light device 105) and may determine at least a relativeposition of the power tool device 110 based on the information receivedfrom the light devices 105 (e.g., through triangulation).

In some embodiments, some of the light devices 105 are grouped togetherwhen they are associated with a particular egress. These light devices105 may remain on at a non-zero brightness level regardless of thesurrounding conditions to continue to illuminate the egress. These lightdevices 105 may also flash to indicate a path direction of egress. Thelight devices 105 can also respond to proximity signals. For example, ifthe light device 105 detects that a user is nearby, the light device 105powers one. When the user is no longer within range (or within aspecific area), the light device powers off. In some embodiments, thelight devices 105 include tracking lights that move a lighting head inthe direction of movement or detected proximity. In some embodiments,the tracking lights may alternatively or additionally change theintensity of the bulbs in the direction of movement or detectedproximity.

FIGS. 20 illustrates an exemplary screenshot of an alternative settingsscreen 1150 for a light device 105 of the communication system 100.Similar to the setting screen 750 of FIG. 10 , the settings screen 1150of FIGS. 20A and 20B illustrate different parameters associated with thelight device 105 that may be controlled by a user through the graphicaluser interface generated by the external device 115. As shown in FIG.20A, the setting screen 1150 includes an on/off toggle 1153, a batterystate indicator section 1156, an alert section 1159, and abrightness/runtime selector 1162. The on/off toggle 1153 allows a userto remote control whether the light device 105 is turned on or off. Theon/off toggle 1153 moves between two positions: an on position and anoff position. The on/off toggle 1153 is in the off position in FIG. 20Aand in the on position in FIG. 20B. The graphical user interfaceprovides an indication (e.g., a green colored light) when the on/offtoggle 1153 is in the on position, so the user can easily identify thecurrent state of the light device 105.

The battery state indication section 1156 provides information regardingthe current state of charge of the battery packs connected to the lightdevice 105. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery state indicationsection 1156 includes a battery icon 1164 a-b for each battery packconnected to the light device 105. Each battery icon 1164 a-b mayindicate the state of charge for a battery pack connected to the lightdevice 105. In some embodiments, the battery icons 1164 a-b may changecolors and may be filled to different levels based on the current stateof charge. The graphical representation allows a user to quicklydetermine the battery state of the light device 105. The alert section1159 provides information regarding abnormal conditions of the lightdevice 105. In the illustrated embodiment, the alert section 1159displays an alert regarding an abnormal condition for a battery packconnected to the light device. In other embodiments, however, the alertsection 1159 may be related to other types of abnormal conditions suchas, for example, a light 220 that is not working.

The brightness/runtime selector 1162 allow a user to select a brightnessor a runtime and provides a corresponding runtime or brightness,respectively. As shown in FIG. 20A, when the light device 105 is off,the brightness/runtime selector 1162 is deactivated. The settings screen1150, however, displays instructions to turn the light device 105 on ifthe brightness/runtime selector 1162 is desired. FIG. 20B illustratesanother instance of the settings screen 1150 in which the on/off toggle1153 indicates that the light device 105 is activated, and thebrightness/runtime selector 1162 is enabled. As shown in FIG. 20B, thebrightness/runtime selector 1162 includes a parameter selector 1165 a, aslider 1165 b, and an indicator 1165 c. The parameter selector 1165 atoggles between brightness (or illumination level) and time to indicatewhich parameters may be controlled other than the parameter currentlycontrolled by the brightness/runtime control 1165. For example, in theexample of FIG. 20B, the brightness parameter is selected to becontrolled. The parameter selector 1165 a indicates “time” because anapproximate runtime is the other parameter that may be controlled otherthan brightness, which corresponds to the parameter currently controlledby the brightness/runtime control 1165. The slider 1165 b includes twoends indicating two extremes of the controlled parameter. In the exampleof FIG. 20B, the controlled parameter is brightness, so a first end ofthe slider 1165 b corresponds to 0% brightness (e.g., light device 105off) and a second, opposite end of the slider 1165 b corresponds to 100%brightness (e.g., light device 105 fully on). When the controlledparameter is runtime, the first end of the slider 1165 b may correspondto a runtime of zero minutes (e.g., light device 105 off) and the secondend of the slider 1165 b may correspond to a maximum runtime associatedwith the light device 105. The indicator 1165 c is movable along theslider 1165 c to indicate a desired value for the controlled parameter(e.g., selects a desired brightness). The settings screen 1150 updatesbased on the desired value for the controlled parameter and displays acalculated parameter (e.g., an estimated runtime in the example of FIG.20B). The user may then have a reasonable approximation of how long thelight device 105 is expected to be activated and at what brightness.

In other embodiments, the brightness/runtime control may includedifferent selection mechanisms in addition to or instead of the slidershown in FIG. 20B. For example, in some embodiments, thebrightness/runtime control 1165 may provide a dropdown menu for a userto select a particular level of brightness or a runtime. The dropdownmenu may present preset options. For example, a user may select a levelof brightness from a dropdown menu presenting ten options such as, forexample, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, and the like. In other embodiments,the brightness/runtime control 1165 may allow a user to directly inputthe desired level of brightness and/or the desired runtime. For example,a user may be able to input a desired level of brightness of 37%, and/ora runtime of 2 hours and 43 minutes. In other embodiments, thebrightness/runtime control 1165 may change based on which parameter isselected by the user. For example, when a user indicates a desiredbrightness, the slider may be displayed, but when a user indicates adesired runtime, a dropdown menu with different timing options may bedisplayed.

In the illustrated embodiment, the settings screen 1150 also includes analert settings 1168. The alert settings 1168 may indicate, for example,what type of alerts are desired by the user, and may be able to tailorthe alerts based on personal preferences of the users. In theillustrated embodiment, the alert settings 1168 allow a user to specifywhen to be alerted that the light device 105 is expected to deactivate.In the illustrated embodiment, a selection of 30 minutes indicates that30 minutes before the light device 105 is expected to deactivate, analert is generated by the external device 115 to indicate that inapproximately 30 minutes, the light device 105 was expected to bedeactivated. Other types of alerts may be configured under the alertsettings 1168.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a method 1200 of programming futureoperation of a light device 105 using the brightness/runtime selector1162. As shown in FIG. 21 , the external device 115 first receives ancommand to activate the light device 105 (step 1205). The externaldevice 115 receives the command through the on/off toggle 1153 as shownin FIG. 20B. In response to receiving the command to activate the lightdevice 105, the external device 115 displays a brightness/runtimecontrol 1165 (FIG. 20B) as part of the brightness/runtime selector 1162(step 1210). The external device 115 then receives a selection of thecontrolled parameter (step 1215) through the parameter selector 1165 a.As discussed above, in the example of FIGS. 20 , the selected controlledparameter is brightness (e.g., level of illumination). The externaldevice 115 then determines whether the controlled parameter correspondsto brightness or runtime (step 1220). In some embodiments, the externaldevice 115 does not allow a user to determine which parameter iscontrolled. Rather, the external device 115 may simply allow a user tochange one of the parameters (e.g., brightness or runtime). In suchembodiments, steps 1215 and 1220 are bypassed by the external device115. The external device 115 may then also only perform steps 1225-1245or steps 1250-1270 depending on which parameter is able to be controlledby the user.

When the selected controlled parameter is brightness, the externaldevice 115 proceeds to operate the light device at a desired brightnessfor an approximated run time (steps 1225-1245). In step 1225, theexternal device 115 receives an indication of a desired brightnessthrough the use of the indicator 1165 c and the slider 1165 b. In otherembodiments, the brightness/runtime control 1165 may include otherimplementations aside from the slider. The external device 115 thendetermines a current state of charge of the battery pack(s) of the lightdevice 105 (step 1230). Based on the current state of charge of thebattery pack(s), the external device 115 calculates an approximateruntime at the desired brightness (step 1235). In some embodiments, tocalculate the approximate runtime at the desired brightness, theexternal device 115 may access historical usage information for thelight device 105 to approximate the power consumption of the lightdevice 105 at the selected brightness. The external device 115 alsodisplays the approximate runtime to inform the user of how the selectedbrightness affects the operation of the light device 105. Then, theexternal device 115 sends a command to the light device 105 to operateat the desired brightness (step 1245). The light device 105 continues tooperate according to the commands from the external device 115, and themethod proceeds to step 1275.

Otherwise, when the selected controlled parameter is runtime, theexternal device 115 proceeds to operate the light device 105 at anapproximate brightness for approximately the desired runtime (steps1250-1270). In step 1250, the external device 115 receives an indicationof a desired approximate runtime through the use of the indicator 1165 band the slider 1165 b. As discussed above, the brightness/runtimecontrol 1165 may have a different selection mechanism. The externaldevice 1115 then determines a current state of charge of the batterypack(s) of the light device 105 (step 1255). Based on the current stateof charge of the battery pack(s), the external device 115 calculates anapproximate maximum brightness for the desired runtime (step 1260). Asdiscussed above, the external device 105 may access historical usageinformation to approximate the power consumption of the light device atdifferent brightness levels. The external device 115 also displays theapproximate maximum brightness (step 1265) to indicate to the user theapproximate brightness if the light device 105 is to be operated for thedesired runtime. The external device 115 then sends a command to thelight device 105 to operate that the approximate maximum brightness(step 1270). The light device 105 continues operating according to thecommands from the external device 115. The external device 115 generatesan alert for the user regarding an expected deactivation of the lightdevice (step 1275). As shown in FIG. 20B, the user may configure whenthe alert messages are generated by the external device 115. Therefore,a user may pre-program future operation of a light device 105 throughthe external device 115.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating a method 1300 of calculatingbrightness or runtime of a light device as described in steps 1235 and1260 of FIG. 21 . The method 1300 may be used for calculating either thebrightness or the runtime based on the selected controlled parameter.The parameter desired and controlled by the user is referred to in theflowchart and the description below as the “controlled parameter,” theparameter estimated is referred to in the flowchart and the descriptionbelow as the “estimated parameter.” For example, when the externaldevice 115 receives an indication from the user regarding a desiredruntime and displays the approximate maximum brightness, the desiredruntime corresponds to the “controlled parameter” and the approximatemaximum brightness corresponds to the “estimated parameter.” When theexternal device 115 receives an indication from the user regarding adesired brightness and displays an estimated runtime, the desiredbrightness corresponds to the “controlled parameter,” and the runtimecorresponds to the “estimated parameter.”

The method 1300 of FIG. 22 begins by determining a maximum amperage forthe light device 105 (step 1305). In one embodiment, the electronicprocessor 525 of the external device 115 determines he maximum amperagefor the light device 105 by communicating directly with the light device105. The light device 105 may send the maximum amperage for the lightdevice 105 as part of its identification signal. In other embodiments,the electronic processor 525 of the external device 115 may access theserver 120, which may provide some basic information regarding the lightdevice 105, including its maximum amperage. The electronic processor 525of the external device 115 may then also determine a battery packconfiguration of the light device 105 (step 1310). In some embodiments,the electronic processor 525 of the external device 115 assumes aspecific battery pack configuration based on the light device 105 andthe standard battery packs compatible with the light device 105. Inother embodiments, the external device 115 communicates with the lightdevice 105 to figure out which battery packs are connected to the lightdevice 105 and how they are connected to each other. In yet otherembodiments, the external device 115 may receive a user selection of anappropriate battery pack configuration. For example, the external device115 may display the different type of battery packs that may becompatible with the light device 105 and/or different configurationoptions. The user then selects the battery packs that are connected tothe light device 105 and, in some embodiments, also selects a particularconfiguration for the battery packs. In one example, the electronicprocessor 525 of the external device 115 assumes that two 9 Amp-hourbattery packs are connected to the light device 105.

The electronic processor 525 of the external device 115 then proceeds todetermine the total capacity based on the connected battery packs andthe current state of charge of each (step 1315). The electronicprocessor 525 of the external device 115 determines the state of chargeof each of the battery packs connected to the light device 105 throughdata communication between the external device 115 and the light device105. The total capacity takes into account the current state of chargeof each of the connected battery packs, as well as how many batterypacks are connected to the light device 105. The electronic processor525 of the external device 115 then calculates a secondary measure ofthe estimated parameter based on the total capacity and the value of thecontrolled parameter (step 1320). In some embodiments, the secondarymeasure of the estimated parameter is an indirect measurement of theestimated parameter, and minimal calculations are performed to thendetermine the estimated parameter. For example, when the controlledparameter includes a desired runtime, the electronic processor 525 ofthe external device 115 calculates an amperage of the light device 105based on the total capacity and the desired runtime. On the other hand,when the controlled parameter includes desired brightness, theelectronic processor 525 of the external device 115 calculates a runtimein minutes (or a different unit) based on the total capacity and thedesired brightness.

The electronic processor 525 of the external device 115 then calculatesthe estimated parameter based on the secondary measure of the estimatedparameter (step 1325). In some embodiments, minimal calculation areperformed to transform the number from the secondary measure to theactual estimated parameter. For example, the electronic processor 525 ofthe external device 115 transforms amperage to brightness by defining aratio of the estimated amperage to the maximum amperage, and multiplyingthe ratio by 100 (e.g., to calculate the percent brightness).Analogously, the electronic processor 525 of the external device 115determines the estimated runtime in hours based on the preliminaryruntime, which had been calculated in minutes.

The electronic processor 525 then compares the estimated value with aminimum parameter threshold (step 1330). When the estimated value forthe parameter is below the minimum parameter threshold, the electronicprocessor 525 of the external device 115 changes the estimated parameterto match the minimum parameter threshold (step 1335). For example, whenthe estimated brightness is below a minimum brightness threshold, theelectronic processor 525 sets the estimated brightness to be the minimumbrightness threshold. In one example, the minimum brightness thresholdmay be 10%. In some embodiments, the external device 115 displays analert message that the current state of charge of the battery packprevents the light device 105 to be controlled by the desired controlledparameter. For example, the alert may indicate “the desired runtime istoo long for the current state of charge of the battery packs. The lightdevice 105 may turn off prematurely even if it operates at the lowestbrightness setting.” On the other hand, when the estimated value for theparameter is not below the minimum parameter threshold, the electronicprocessor 525 of the external device 115 continues to step 1340, inwhich the electronic processor 525 of the external device 115 determineswhether the estimated parameter is greater than a maximum parameterthreshold. When the electronic processor 525 determines that theestimated parameter is not above the maximum parameter threshold (inother words, the estimated parameter is above the minimum parameterthreshold and below the maximum parameter threshold), the electronicprocessor 525 maintains the current value for the estimated parameter(step 1345). On the other hand, when the electronic processor 525determines that the estimated parameter is greater than the maximumparameter threshold, the electronic processor 525 updates the estimatedparameter to be the maximum parameter threshold (step 1350). Forexample, when the estimated brightness is greater than the maximumbrightness threshold, the electronic processor 525 sets the estimatedbrightness to the maximum brightness threshold. The maximum brightnessthreshold may be, for example, 90%. Once the electronic processor 525determines the estimated parameter, the electronic processor 525proceeds to displaying the estimated parameters as discussed withrespect to steps 1240 and 1265 of FIG. 21 . Although the method 1300 ofFIG. 21 has been described as being performed by the electronicprocessor 525 of the external device 115, in some embodiments, theelectronic processor of the server 120 performs the method 1300 of FIG.22 and forwards the estimated parameter to the external device 115 fordisplay.

In some other embodiments, the communication system 100 also includes agateway. In such embodiments, when a data message is intended for theexternal device 115, the light devices 105 use the mesh network asdescribed in, for example, FIG. 14 , and communicate data messages toeach other until one of the light devices 105 is within the directcommunication range of the gateway. The gateway then receives the datamessage and forwards the data message to the external device 115 using,for example, internet protocol, or a similar technology.

FIG. 23 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the communicationsystem 2000. The communication system 2000 is generally similar to thecommunication system 100 of FIG. 1 , and similar components are giventhe same reference numbers. The communication system 2000 of FIG. 23includes power tool devices 110, light devices 105, an external device115, and a server 120. In addition, the communication system 2000 ofFIG. 23 includes master light devices 2005. Master light devices 1305are similar to the light devices 105 in construction and components, butalso include a communication circuit that enables the master lightdevices 2005 to communicate directly with the server 120. The masterlight devices 2005 therefore allow updating of, for example, locationinformation on the server 120 without necessarily having the messagereach the external device 115. The master light devices 2005 provide ashortcut for messages directed to the external device 115. For example,if a light device outside the direct communication range of the externaldevice 115 sends a message to the external device 115, the wirelessmessage can reach the external device 115 through the master lightdevice 2005. The master light device 2005 receives the wireless messagefrom the light device, sends the wireless message to the server 120, andthe server 120 transmits the wireless message directly to the externaldevice 115. The master light devices 2005 may therefore decrease thetime required for a wireless message to reach the external device 115.The communication system 2000 of FIG. 23 can perform the same methodsdescribed above with respect to FIGS. 6-22 .

In some embodiments, all of the light devices 105 include the samehardware and software, and the user may select which light devices 105behave as master light devices (e.g., activates functionality tocommunicate directly with the server 120 on some of the light devices105). Having a mix of master light devices 2005 and light devices 105enables for lower power consumption of the communication system 2000overall while at the same time increasing connectivity and speed ofcommunications within the communication system 2000. In otherembodiments, however, the master light devices 2005 include anadditional components not found in other light devices 105 that allowthe master light devices 2005 to communicate with the remote server 120.

Thus, the invention provides, among other things, a network of lightsthat communicates with an external device to provide remote monitoringand control. Various features and advantages of the invention are setforth in the following claims.

What is claimed is: 1-20. (canceled)
 21. A method for controlling alight device, the method comprising: receiving, through a graphical userinterface of an external device, a selection of a desired runtime for aself-standing light device; determining, with a first electronicprocessor of the external device, an estimated level of brightness forthe self-standing light device based on a state of charge of a batterypack coupled to the self-standing light device and the desired runtime;displaying the estimated level of brightness on the graphical userinterface; transmitting, via a first transceiver of the external device,a command to the self-standing light device to operate at the estimatedlevel of brightness; receiving, with a second electronic processor ofthe self-standing light device and via a second transceiver of theself-standing light device, the command from the external device; andcontrolling, with the second electronic processor, a light of theself-standing light device to operate at the estimated level ofbrightness.
 22. The method of claim 21, further comprising receiving,with the first electronic processor and via the first transceiver, thestate of charge of the battery pack coupled to the self-standing lightdevice from the self-standing light device.
 23. The method of claim 21,wherein determining the estimated level of brightness includesdetermining, with the first electronic processor, an approximate maximumbrightness for the desired runtime based on the state of charge of thebattery pack.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein determining theapproximate maximum brightness for the desired runtime includesdetermining, with the first electronic processor, the approximatemaximum brightness using historical usage information to determine apower consumption of the self-standing light device at a brightnesslevel.
 25. The method of claim 21, further comprising providing, via anoutput device of the external device, an alert regarding an expecteddeactivation of the self-standing light device.
 26. The method of claim25, further comprising receiving, via the graphical user interface, auser input to select a time period for the alert to be provided, whereinthe time period indicates an amount of time before the expecteddeactivation of the self-standing light device.
 27. A method forcontrolling a light device, the method comprising: receiving, through agraphical user interface, a selection of a desired runtime for aself-standing light device; determining an estimated level of brightnessfor the self-standing light device based on a state of charge of abattery pack coupled to the self-standing light device and the desiredruntime; and controlling, with a first electronic processor of theself-standing light device, a light of the self-standing light device tooperate at the estimated level of brightness.
 28. The method of claim27, wherein the graphical user interface is displayed on a screen of anexternal device, and wherein determining the estimated level ofbrightness includes determining, with a second electronic processor ofthe external device, the estimated level of brightness, and furthercomprising: transmitting, via a second transceiver of the externaldevice, a command to the self-standing light device to operate at theestimated level of brightness; and receiving, with the first electronicprocessor and via a first transceiver of the self-standing light device,the command from the external device.
 29. The method of claim 27,wherein determining the estimated level of brightness includesdetermining an approximate maximum brightness for the desired runtimebased on the state of charge of the battery pack.
 30. The method ofclaim 29, wherein determining the approximate maximum brightness for thedesired runtime includes determining, with a second electronic processorof an external device, the approximate maximum brightness for thedesired runtime.
 31. The method of claim 29, wherein determining theapproximate maximum brightness for the desired runtime includesdetermining the approximate maximum brightness using historical usageinformation to determine a power consumption of the self-standing lightdevice at a brightness level.
 32. The method of claim 27, furthercomprising providing an alert regarding an expected deactivation of theself-standing light device.
 33. The method of claim 32, whereinproviding the alert includes providing the alert via an output device ofan external device.
 34. The method of claim 32, further comprisingreceiving, via the graphical user interface, a user input to select atime period for the alert to be provided, wherein the time periodindicates an amount of time before the expected deactivation of theself-standing light device.
 35. A light device comprising: aself-standing housing; a light supported by the self-standing housing; abattery pack port supported by the self-standing housing and configuredto removably receive a battery pack, wherein the light is configured toreceive power from the battery pack; and a first electronic processorcoupled to the light and configured to: determine a state of charge ofthe battery pack; and control the light to operate at an estimated levelof brightness; wherein the estimated level of brightness is determinedbased on (i) a user selection of a desired runtime for the light and(ii) the state of charge of the battery pack.
 36. The light device ofclaim 35, wherein the user selection of the desired runtime is receivedvia a graphical user interface of an external device; wherein theestimated level of brightness is determined by a second electronicprocessor of the external device; and further comprising a firsttransceiver coupled to the first electronic processor, wherein the firstelectronic processor is configured to receive a command, via the firsttransceiver, from the external device; wherein the command instructs thefirst electronic processor to operate the light at the estimated levelof brightness.
 37. The light device of claim 35, wherein the estimatedlevel of brightness is determined by determining an approximate maximumbrightness for the desired runtime based on the state of charge of thebattery pack.
 38. The light device of claim 37, wherein the approximatemaximum brightness for the desired runtime is determined usinghistorical usage information to determine a power consumption of theself-standing light device at a brightness level.
 39. The light deviceof claim 35, wherein an alert is provided regarding an expecteddeactivation of the self-standing light device.
 40. The light device ofclaim 39, wherein the alert is provided according to a user-selectedtime period that indicates an amount of time before the expecteddeactivation of the self-standing light device at which the alert shouldbe provided.